after its owner failed to turn up in court yesterday.

Zebra, just under two-years-old, has been in kennels since he was taken from his owner Ronald Paynter who is accused of treating him cruelly, in January, 1992.

He is accused of picking the dog up and dropping it in front of witnesses in Hamilton, but he denies it.

Paynter has appeared in Magistrates' Court twice to face the charges but both times the case was adjourned because he requested more witnesses.

However, at yesterday's hearing Paynter 29, of Parsons Road, Pembroke, failed to turn up and a warrant was served on him.

Bermuda Government Veterinarian Dr. Neil Burnie said the dog has been in kennels for a year and a month.

He said: "A permanent home cannot be found because under the law Mr. Paynter is still the owner.'' But a temporary foster home cannot be found. The dog was taken from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks kennel in Somerset to the SPCA kennels in Paget.

SPCA official Ms Hilda Matos said: "We have been unable to foster him out because people do not want to take a dog temporarily because they could get attached to it.

"We can give dogs to owners but only if they are going to keep them. It is difficult otherwise.'' Zebra is, of course, being well cared for at the SPCA kennels, but everyone would prefer for him to have a home one way or another.

INNOCENT VICTIM -- Zebra, the mongrel, has spent more than a year in SPCA kennels awaiting the outcome of a case against his owner.